Drying Fruit and Vegetables, Floral Supplies

We love to preserve any fruit or vegetables that we may grow.  It is hard though to fit the time in to do it with all our other farm work.  Most people know that preserving time happens right in the middle of summer when the family wants to go places, do things; or it is too hot; people come to visit you; kids are home from school.  But it is so rewarding to enjoy fresh food in the winter months.

What we do is try and have something in the food dehydrator; or out in the sun drying screen; or being sulfured in the sulfur shed as much of the summer that we can.  The first two photos are apricots drying after being sulfured and the last photo are peaches drying.

Small quantities of fruit can be dried in small air dehydrators or larger stainless steel dehydrators.  We have the larger one with 9 shelves which dries large amounts of tomatoes or apples quickly.  Here are a few examples:

 Even ovens can be used on very, very low heat.  The process of drying has been used during the pioneer times too.  I do dip the produce deluded with water using fresh lemon juice or Fruit Fresh to maintain the color and freshness. Here are some photos of antique ones.  I have seen in a few of my farming magazines, that you can purchase new ones using patterns from antique ones.

Old ideas, new again.

Now that the official vegetable and fruit season has started, why not try something new, dry them.  Kids love dried fruits for snacks.

I wanted to mention to you about a great family owned floral supply business I have recently started using since I have started my CSA-Flower Membership and selling flowers for events.  I love supporting family businesses.  It is called Sacramento Valley Floral Supply.  They are strictly on-line, but Peter and Barbara are so helpful with any questions you have.  And they deliver right to your door by their delivery guy-Tony.

It is such a learning experience taking growing flowers to the next step of selling flowers or bouquets, there is so much I need to learn.  It is nice to know there are still people out there willing to take the time to explain products and how to use them.

Thank you for reading my blog and our life experiences here at Windmill Farm, a small, family owned farming business.  Come back again or "Like" us on Facebook.